On Monday Mornings and Time to Make the Donuts

Photo by myself, somewhere in Midtown.

Oh boy, it's Monday again. How does that happen?

Here's another photo from the stash, showing a typical scene in Midtown - a bevy of taxis, asphalt, and a couple of guys slogging away, lol.

-- I rooted around this blog and was surprised I haven't posted the clip below before? It's one of my favorite ads. Some of the most well-known commercials from the '80s featured a little guy named 'Fred the Baker', for Dunkin' Donuts.

The slogan was 'Time to make the Donuts', meaning that fresh donuts were being made constantly, and poor Fred had no time to relax (!).

My fiance Mark had to work all weekend. Mark also works in advertising. There is a connection in there. Enjoy!


 Related posts: Looking Up, in Midtown, Crowd Crossing, at 34th Street, and On Crossing the Street, and Living Dangerously.

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A Friendly Wave from the Deli Counter, in Midtown

Photo by myself, in Midtown.

I got a friendly wave from the guy who works in the deli I sometimes go to, the other day.

There's been construction going on nearby, and the deli was flooded with construction workers, who were looking for an early lunch. These fellows usually eat a hearty meal in the mid-morning, just when some of us are waking up (ahem!).

This is one of a couple delis near my office. When we look for lunch, my coworkers and I deliberate on various delis that we've named 'across the street', 'down the street' or 'around the corner'.

As you can tell, we architects are not too creative or daring, ha.

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Life has been a little nuts, recently. My fiance Mark just left on yet another business trip, this time a long one to LA.

I'll be stopping off in LA on my way to Beijing, in mid-April. This blog will continue, with a mix of pre-scheduled posts and posts that I email to blogger. For whatever reason, Blogger is not accessible in mainland China.

Related posts: Greetings from a New York Pie, in Midtown, A Friendly Wave, in Midtown, and Greetings from Above, in Midtown.

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On Rainy Days and Shooting for TV

Photo by myself in Washington Square Park, in the Village.

We've been experiencing a slew of rainy days, with a nice day here and there. It's due to rain all next week.

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I'm a bit knackered. I spent part of yesterday helping Mark on a shoot for a test commercial for a well-known electronic device. Mark is absolutely wiped out.

The shoot included a tattoo parlor, our apartment in Park Slope, a yoga studio, a bathroom in Midtown, a street scene in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and a hot dog stand in Prospect Park.

As the producer, Mark mobilized his crew - a director, a cameraman, a make-up artist and several assistants for the shoot. He also figured out the locations, got permissions and created a schedule all in one day.

Mark determined logistics on Friday and the test commercial was shot on Saturday. Usually, a two-dimensional storyboard was enough to illustrate an idea. Some companies prefer to view a test commercial before committing a great deal of money to shoot a real commercial.

It was a cool experience, and not the first time I've helped out. We were lucky that Saturday was the one beautiful day in the midst of a slew of cold rainy days. I will have to document the experience next time!

Related posts: Santas on Parade, in Washington Square Park, City Portrait - Washington Square Park and Looming Above Washington Square Park.

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A Short Visit to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Photo by myself in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

An ancient fort that used to defend the island from pirates of the Carribean, is located next to an incredible cemetery.

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Sorry to detract from my usual photos of New York. Mark and I are still on a brief vacation in Puerto Rico, where it is incredibly humid and sunny. Friday afternoon, we took a trip into Old San Juan, about 20 minutes from our hotel.

Unfortunately the heat and a disappointing lunch experience made our time in town brief. We found the streets extremely clean in this charming old neighborhood. The buildings were ornate, some painted bright colors.


One of many shop-lined streets, paved in blue brick. The stores cater heavily to tourists.


Lush vegetation is everywhere. We were entranced by the little balconies, shutters and details.



Stores and restaurants were located along narrow streets, lined with tropical plants. Unfortunately, the only locals we encountered were the police and shop owners. Oh, and cats, lol, which were very friendly.

Mark and I will be back in New York, Monday night. It's very nice here, I'm starting to miss the energy and bustle of the city. I can just feel my brain and body turning into jello!


A time-lapse image of the same cat? Actually, these three friendly strays are probably brothers.

Related posts: Signs of Hope, Now on Sale, in Midtown and Signs of the Times.

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Tropical Luxury at the Caribe Hilton, Puerto Rico

Photo by myself at the Caribe Hilton hotel, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

As you can see, it’s beautiful here – brightly sunny with a gentle sea breeze.

Mark and I are staying at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, a sprawling hotel complex by the water. There are restaurants, a spa, an outdoor hammock forest, a swimming lagoon and several outdoor pools. A casino is located just a 15-minute walk away.

Mark and I are usually intrepid travelers and prefer smaller hotels, off the beaten path. However, I don’t have many complaints about the obvious luxury of this place. It's not bad!

Staying here is like being on a cruise ship on land. There are free activities offered every day, from yoga classes to bingo to feeding giant koi in a pond. It's a great place for families.


A grove of hammocks provide a restful spot to read a book.

Large swans and other waterfowl live in a central garden. There are reefs with colorful fish just offshore, visible from a small dock. At night, the outdoor gardens and pools are lit with festive lights.

The only disappointment so far has been a couple extremely overpriced meals we've had outside the hotel, which fell short in terms of food and service. (Mark even had food poisoning). We have been spoiled by New York, where you can eat very well for a reasonable price.

Coming up tomorrow, photos from our trip into Old San Juan.


Work on your tan next to several swimming pools.

Related posts: Signs of Hope, Now on Sale, in Midtown and Signs of the Times.

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A Modern Icon, in New Canaan, Connecticut

Photo by myself, in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Just an hour outside New York lies an icon of modern architecture. Philip Johnson's Glass House is located in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Designed as Johnson's summer getaway, this 1,300 square foot pavilion is situated on nearly 50 acres of land. Architects consider this a major piece of work. It made a splash when it was completed in 1949, expressing the modernist ideal in the lack of applied ornament.

Typically, the wait for a visit can be up to a year. This year, tours have been extended an extra month, through the end of November, and some spots are still available. There is a bit of walking outside, so dress warmly. We drove up, but one can get to the site quite easily from Manhattan, by train.

For tickets and more information, click here.

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Friday, Mark and I took a trip to see The Glass House. I have always wanted to visit, and was shocked by how easily accessible the house is from New York.



The interiors are cozy and warm, unlike many modern spaces. There are many traditional references, in fact. The plan is based on the golden mean, a proportion that has been considered pleasing since the Renaissance.

A horizontal band along the facade mimics the wainscots of traditional homes, which in turn relates to the human body. Without it, the height of the building would seem overscaled. Exterior doors are located on all four walls, making each facade symmetrical, another classical device.

The kitchen is ingenious, with panels that flip open to reveal appliances. The bathroom was by far my favorite part, with its tiny green tiles and bronze threshold.

Johnson bequeathed the home to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, upon his death in 2005. Public tours of the house began in 2007.

If you have a chance to visit, Fall is a great time. There are some huge old homes in this town, as well as a cute main street. The train from Grand Central takes you to the New Canaan station, directly across the street from the visitor's center. A short shuttle ride brings you to the property.





Day trips are easily accessible destinations just outside the five boroughs of New York City.

Related posts: Details, Details, The Royalton, Renovated and Building for a Greener Environment.

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Living off the Fat of the Land in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Photo by myself at Applewood, a restaurant in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

The interior of this excellent restaurant has a quiet, country charm that rings authentic. I wouldn't be surprised to find its carbon copy somewhere in Vermont.

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Ah yes, another story about food. I must sound like an 800-pound gorilla by now. It's just that Mark and I can't resist ourselves when it comes to deliciousness.

We've become recently smitten with Applewood, a fine restaurant tucked away on a side street in our neighborhood, Park Slope. We stumbled in for brunch one weekend and had our minds blown open by brunch: omelets made with seasonal veggies, cheese grits and homemade biscuits. (The biscuits were worthy of dying for - slightly crunchy on the outside, flaky on the inside, they were accompanied with creamed butter and blueberry jam).

So when we discovered that Applewood was serving a special Farmer's Dinner, a four-course dinner and chance to meet the farmers who grew the organic produce, we signed ourselves up.


Above, beet salad with homemade ricotta cheese, salad greens and parsley salsa verde.



The very premise of the Farmer's Dinner is lovely - a tasting menu featuring local organic produce, and a chance to meet the farmers who grew the food. The idea of getting people in touch with where their food comes from is timely.

Jeffrey and Kristin from Liberty Gardens, in Pennsylvania, were a couple originally from Brooklyn. They rushed to join the farming life ten years ago and are now serving organic produce to high end restaurants in several states. Farming is not an easy life, but one they enjoy and value.

Jeffrey and Kristin arrived from Pennsylvania with bushels of carrots, kale, eggplant, salad greens and beets, at 1pm. Six hours later, the guests were seated to four courses and two amuse bouches, each paired with wine.

Can I say scrumptious? The carrots and beets were sweet and tender. A habanero chutney had a quiet heat. There was sorbet made with sorrel, an herb, and an ice cream made with celery root. You would never have known that the menu was figured out that afternoon.

Last but not least, Applewood was good enough to let me photograph their kitchen.

For more about Applewood, click here.
For more about Liberty Gardens, click here.



Related posts: Parked in Park Slope, Rent and Smile, it's Happy Hour.

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Chez Bouley, Tribeca

Photo by myself outside Bouley, in Tribeca on Duane Street.

From the street outside, you can get a glimpse into the kitchen of this fine restaurant. Here, chocolates and sweets are homemade and served on tiered trays.

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Saturday night, Mark had a fantastic dinner at Bouley (pronounced boo-LAY), one of the best restaurants in New York.

We rarely go out to fine restaurants, preferring instead down-and-dirty 'authentic' places. We had the tasting menu, which was an culinary assault on our bodies. The food was plentiful and astronomically rich. By the end of the meal, we were pushing dishes away.

The waitstaff was extremely attentive, swarming to replace silverware and explain dishes. The restaurant itself was very pretty, with silver leafed vaulted ceilings, enormous flower displays and enormous paintings of the French countryside. Oh, and the food was just divine.


Above, the vestibule at Bouley is lined floor-to-ceiling with apples. Their scent stimulates your senses from the first step inside.

You know the 'foams' that Top Chefs concoct on the show? Well, we had a few of those. And things in truffle oil. And the most delectable seafood. Each little dish was a complicated, layered mix of this and that.

The Amuse Bouche alone consisted of salmon roe, some kind of foam, balsamic vinegar and something else white. By the end of it, Mark and I were gripping our stomachs, groaning 'Uncle'. The food had won, hands down.

The experience reminds me of an episode of Sex and The City. Charlotte and one of her beau had a several-coursed meal on their honeymoon and afterwards spent the entire night running to and fro to the bathroom, haha. If you're not used to eating rich food, be warned.

For some strange reason, Bouley has gotten some low marks on the internet. Don't believe them. This four-star restaurant is New York fixture, garnering first place in Zagat's as where New Yorkers would want to have their last meal. For the restaurant review of Bouley (which many readers criticized as being too harsh of the food), click here.

For more about the chef David Bouley, click here.



Related posts: Eating on the Cheap, Restaurant Week, Reflecting on Tribeca and City Portrait - BBQ Block Party, Madison Square Park.

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Cow Appreciation Day, Fifth Avenue

Photo by myself on Fifth Avenue and 28th Street.

A tour bus filled with people in cow costumes roared down Fifth Avenue.

Apparently, Friday was Cow Appreciation Day. Those who went to a Chick-fil-A restaurant dressed as a cow received a free meal.

The cows were holding signs saying 'Eat Mor Chikin.' Mark and I were waiting to cross the street, Friday afternoon. He gave me a shout 'Cows on a bus, comin'! Cows on a bus, comin'! Get your camera!!!'

I wonder whether we'll be hearing from the Chicken side soon?

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Related posts: Visions of a Cheeseburger, Midtown, Signs of Hope and The Meal Obama Cart, Midtown.

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City Portrait - BBQ Block Party, Madison Square Park

Photo by myself outside Madison Square Park, at 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue.

The 7th Annual BBQ Block Party took place Saturday, around 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue. Above, a food preparer proudly showed off a rack of pork ribs.

Some of the best barbecue purveyors from all over the States were present. Trucks were hauled in from Texas, Alabama and Nashville, among other places.

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Mark and I wound up at the BBQ party, Saturday. He'd seen the trucks setting up Friday night, and called me excitedly to say that entire carcasses were being roasted overnight. We're not huge meat eaters, but we will do just about anything for good barbecue.



It turns out a kajillion other people knew about this too, so when we arrived around noon, it was insanity. Long lines snaked in front of each truck. Picnic tables lined the street so that people could eat ribs the right way, with two bare hands.

We weren't able to deal with the crowds, though, and left early after a delicious (and pricey) pulled pork sandwich and ribs.

The trucks will be there Sunday, from noon to 6 pm. Bring your wallets, patience and appetite.












Related posts: I Scream, You Scream, Food, Glorious Food and Hot of the Grill, in the East Village.

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Way Up on the Upper East Side

Photo by myself from Fifth Avenue, around 90th Street.

I've posted several photos from the Upper West Side looking out to Central Park. Now for a view from the Upper East Side.

The view across Central Park is stunning, especially on a sunny day. I was visiting a job site and took this photo through the window. Ahead lies the Reservoir, a small body of water surrounded by a popular running path. A complete loop around the Reservoir is a little over a mile.

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New York news has been scant, which is not a bad thing. So here's the latest on our little family.

Mark is away for a week in South America for a project, so it's just me and the animals (cat, dog and fish). The cat is now getting saline treatments for her kidneys. The dog had a booboo on his paw and requires medication. The fish...well, the fish are okay for the moment.

On top of it, I was exposed to chicken pox the other day at my doctor's office. My physician came down with it a day after my appointment, and I've never had the chicken pox. So I'm crossing fingers that all of us, four-legged, two-legged and no-legged creatures, will be intact on Mark's return.

In the meantime, there's more work to be done and more photos to take!

Related posts: The View from On High, Fall From Above and The Sky is Falling.

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What's Black and White and Red All Over?

Photo by myself of Rupert at home.

The answer: a mischievous, sneaky dog.

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A couple nights ago Rupert woke up as he often does, in the middle of the night.

Usually he gets up to pee, get a drink or a bite to eat. When we hear that he's up, we'll get up with him, to make sure he doesn't eat the cat food or that he pees on his wee wee pad.

There are times when he gets up unnoticed and wreaks havoc - eating the cat food, or gnawing on a pillow, or in this case, finding a red pen and chewing it up until it was utterly destroyed.

Well, you can imagine what happened - we woke up to Rupert sound asleep in bed with red all over his front paws and belly. Mark had a start and thought we had to take him to the animal hospital.

Thank goodness it wasn't blood, just the result of a late night rampage. The dear pup was the laughing stock at the dog run.

Related posts: Unleashed in Long Island, A New York Mascot and On Fish, Cats and Dogs.

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The Towers near Riverside Park

Photo by myself in Riverside Park, on the Upper West Side.

A series of towers called Trump Place are built along the west side of Manhattan. The development has extended the park, while giving the apartments have a clear view of the Hudson River and New Jersey.

Riverside Park starts around 158th Street and runs down to 72nd Street on the west side. From there you can take a bike path that runs along the water, all the way down to Battery Park City, at the southern tip of Manhattan.

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Sunday we had gorgeous weather, so Mark and I took Rupert out to Riverside Park. We had a small picnic along the water and walked around a bit.

I took tons of photos and could not decide what to show. I finally decided on a cheery color photo, to start off the week.

Have a good Monday, everyone!

For more about the development of Trump Place, click here.

Related posts: Along the West Bank, It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Different Vistas.

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A Walk in the Park

Photo by myself in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

On a recent cool day, Mark, Rupert and I took a stroll through the park in Brooklyn, near where we live. (The cat didn't join us, preferring the sofa cushion).

On weekends, the parks are typically filled with joggers, cyclists, couples and families.

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The news on us is generally good.

One of my projects at the office is wrapping up and is turning out well - a three-bedroom renovation on the Upper West Side. The owners are moving in at the end of April, on schedule. (In my line of work, being on schedule and within budget is a miracle). I'm now helping out on a huge project on Fifth Avenue.

By the way, if you're looking to renovate, now is the time. Contractors are bidding fiercely on projects, significantly lowering their average per square foot costs.

Below, the most recent edition of the Rupert movies, that Mark whipped up. Enjoy!



Related posts: A New York Mascot, Doggone It, Rupert is Six Months Old and Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

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Suspenseful Bridges

Photo by myself of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

Once the longest suspension bridge in the world, the Verrazano-Narrows connects Brooklyn with Staten Island. It is 60 feet longer than the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Verrazano is the starting point of the New York City Marathon, which runs through all five New York CIty Boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx.

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We had to study bridges in our structural classes in school, and the most notable suspension bridge we encountered had nothing to do with a long span or great heights.

The Tacoma Narrows was a good 2,000 ft shorter, and pre-dated the Verrazano by 30 years. It was located in Washington State, and earned notoriety from its famous collapse.



The design of the bridge had a fatal flaw, one which I couldn't begin to explain, (something to do with the wind in the area and the frequency of the cables). Miraculously, no one was killed.

Happy Monday everyone!

Related posts: From Under The Bridge, Moving on Up and Bridging the Gap.

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On the Brooklyn Bridge

Photo by myself of the Brooklyn Bridge, out the sunroof of Mark's car.

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most recognizable icons in New York because of its distinctive stone piers and diagonal cables. If you're in town on a nice day and have the chance to walk across it, you should. Cars run on one level, while pedestrians and cyclists have the upper level to themselves.

Pedestrian access to the bridge starts near City Hall on Centre Street. You wind up on the other side in Brooklyn Heights, where you can walk on the Brooklyn Promenade along the East River.

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Who doesn't like a happy ending? In the Times, you can read about a recent New York incident that turned out okay.

A woman named Hannah Emily Upp was found last year after going missing for three weeks. She'd had a rare episode of memory loss, where she forgot her identity, similar to Jason Bourne in the Bourne series (though not at all violent).

Upp wandered around the city without identification cards or money, and was found in the waters off Staten Island. Only now has she been interviewed about the incident.

Once in a while, you see 'Missing' signs posted on the street, and you hear something in the local news. I assume the person wanted to go missing, and they were either running from something, or being chased.

It's nice to see that 'Missing' can mean a happy ending.

Click here for the Times article.

Related posts: More of the Brooklyn Bridge, From Under the Bridge and The View from the Promenade.

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Art on Exhibit - James Jean in Chelsea

Photo by myself at the Jonathan Levine Gallery on 20th Street in Chelsea.

Many galleries in New York are housed in old warehouse buildings. The galleries are usually found together in Soho and Chelsea, however they are also on the Upper East Side and in Midtown.

People often take an elevator to the top floor, then visit galleries on each floor on the way down, taking the stairs. Private galleries differ from museums, in that there's no admission fee.

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Mark and I visited a gallery in Chelsea, Saturday, featuring one of our favorite artists, James Jean. At only 30 years old, Jean has published several books of his work and has received numerous awards for his paintings and illustrations. Jean was schooled at the School of Visual Arts and now lives in California.

It was the last day of the exhibit and nearly all the art had been sold. People milled about marveling at the fantastic, huge images. On opening night, Susan Sarandon and Keith Carradine were in attendance.

Mark and I visited several other galleries in the building on our way out. We saw an assortment of folk art, huge color photographs, impressionistic painting and abstract sculptures.

I find visiting galleries more fun than traditional museums because you never know what you're in for.




A gorgeous detail from one of the paintings.

To see Jean's website click here.

Related posts: New Museum, The Bowery, Warehousing Art in Chelsea and Artsy Fartsy.

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On Radio City and The Whitney Museum

Photo by myself, outside Radio City Music Hall on 6th Avenue around 50th Street.

The facade of Radio City is an iconic image of New York. The building is home to the legendary Rockettes and other performers. Neon signage wraps around the facade, which is festooned with holiday decoration.

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Sorry for such a cliched image, I could not help myself. I have a weakness for neon and old-timey lettering.

By the way, if you're a photography fan, you can still catch the William Eggleston exhibit at the Whitney Museum before it ends on January 25th.

I don't know tons about Eggleston, except that I'd like to know more. I first came across his images in a couple monographs that Mark owns - big color books filled with suburban expanses that seem so perfectly staged.

I also saw a documentary about Eggleston on the Sundance Channel. He was shown stumbling around, snapping photos continuously through the day, without stopping or reshooting a scene. He was intuitive and a bit weird.

Eggleston's images are not for everyone - the subject matter is banal, the vibe is eerie, the colors are the washed-out hues of the 70s. To me, these images are gorgeous.

Mark and I have yet to catch the show. There's only three weeks left!

For more about the exhibit, click here.

Related posts: The Arts - Live and on Videotape, Radio City and Rupert, Day Two and Neon Storefronts, Midtown.

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Uggs in Times Square

Photo by myself near Times Square, around 6th Avenue and 41st Street.

On the street corner I encountered either the spokesmodels for Uggs, or an up-and-coming girl band.

It was in the mid-40s on Monday and brightly sunny. The sidewalks were swarming with visitors and people taking off of work.

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The countdown has begun to the new year.

I'm not sure what Mark and I will do. We've been invited to a couple events, but there is a very, very high chance we will stay in.

For the last few years we have wound up in front of the television. Correction, I have wound up in front of the television at the stroke of midnight, while Mark has been sound asleep under the covers.

This year he will be under the covers with a certain mischievous dog. The cat and I will tough it out til the end!

Related posts: Times Square, NYC, Life in the Balance and CDP Theme Day - Circles and Spheres.

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Holiday Greetings, from Times Square

Photo by myself in Times Square.

I braved Times Square the other night, where holiday images are dancing on the big screen. Standing at 42nd Street and Broadway, one is just bathed in light.

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Mark and I are caring for our dog Rupert, Thursday night. He was left unattended for a moment and in that moment, he scarfed down a big bowl of cat food. He's been extra-gassy as a result.

In the meantime, it's time again for another Rupert video.

Mark has been making these videos in his spare time, mapping Rupert's journey through puppyhood. He's now almost 5 months old and apparently does a lot of sleeping. In this episode, our cat makes a cameo appearance.



Related posts: Unleashed in Long Island, Radio City and Rupert, Day Two and Boston (Terrier) in New York.

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